Multi-element analysis of vegetal foodstuff by means of low power total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) spectrometry

•Rapid and simple methodology for multi-elemental analysis of vegetal foodstuffs.•Sample preparation by suspension in de-ionized water and subsequent TXRF analysis.•A set of several certified reference materials have been used to test the methodology.•Accurate and precise results by direct TXRF analysis for elements Mn-Sr.•Improvement of analytical results for light elements (K and Ca) by external calibration.

In this work, an analytical methodology in combination with a low power benchtop total reflection X-ray fluorescence (TXRF) system has been developed for multi-elemental analysis of vegetal materials. An easy and rapid sample preparation consisting in suspending 20 mg of sample in de-ionized water showed to be the most suitable for this kind of samples. However, for comparison purposes, two digestion procedures were also applied.A set of fifteen certified reference materials and three real vegetal samples were employed for the quantitative determination of K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Rb, Sr, Pb, As and Sn. All the parameters affecting sample preparation and TXRF measurements conditions were carefully evaluated. Accurate and precise results were obtained for mid-high Z elements (Mn-Sr) using internal standardization as quantification approach, while for light Z elements (K and Ca), due to absorption effects, an improvement of analytical results by external calibration was necessary.